Northwestern often touts how well rounded its students are, but Relay For Life put that claim to the test Wednesday night at a Buffalo Wild Wings trivia challenge fundraiser.
The fundraiser was one in a series of attempts to raise money for the annual, nationwide event that supports the American Cancer Society. NU Relay is set for May 17 at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Aquatics Center.
As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, 51 teams and 448 individuals signed up for the event at NU, raising more than $103,000.
During the 12-hour event, participants take turns walking around a track or participate in other activities to raise money as well as honor those with cancer. Even with Relay’s year-to-year success — last year’s event raised more than $155,000 – the executive board decided to mix things up this year.
“For the first time, we’re working off a theme,” said Priya Shah, co-chair of team development. “So for music, decorations, we’re going to have different decades. We’re encouraging teams to dress up as well.”
Shah, a Weinberg junior, added that the minimum fundraising amount also changed this year, to $50. Different attractions will also be at the actual event, notably a photo booth for participants. In addition to these activities, the men’s basketball team, one of the top yearly fundraising teams, will be at Relay for a $3 “knockout” basketball tournament.
The incentives are in place to help Relay reach its fundraising goal of $165,000, said Tegan Reyes, one of the Relay co-chairs. She said Relay’s focus extends beyond student fundraisers such as trivia night.
“We definitely think we’re in a good place,” the Medill junior said. “But we want to expand. We have students, but we want to get faculty, graduate students and the Evanston community involved as well.”
Other upcoming events include a Cold Stone Creamery event Thursday. Reyes said the Buffalo Wild Wings trivia night is one of the more popular fundraisers for Relay. She said last time the trivia night was held, Relay raised more than $350.
Chris Pitler, a McCormick junior, has participated in multiple trivia nights in preparation for Relay.
“I like Relay For Life because it’s a very personal thing,” Pitler said. “I’ve had relatives with cancer.”
Even with Relay now less than three weeks away and nearly $60,000 short of its goal, Reyes is not worried about reaching the $165,000 mark.
“A lot of the fundraising really comes the week before the event,” Reyes said. “We raise a lot of money on the night of the event. There’s a lot of work and a lot of planning still to be done, but we’re pretty confident about reaching our fundraising goal.”
